$8 million NSW Tech Central Research infrastructure fund opens for submissions

The NSW Government has launched an $8 million Tech Central Research and Innovation Infrastructure Fund to help drive research and commercialisation activity in the Tech Central precinct centred on Sydney’s Central Station and including UTS and the University of Sydney.

It is calling for expressions of interest from universities, research organisations, industry, consortiums and NSW-based NCRIS (National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy) facilities for open-access projects to be supported by fund. Expressions of interest will be accepted until 5pm AEST Friday 17 June 2022.

The NSW Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Stuart Ayres said the fund will help realise proposals that provide significant physical and digital infrastructure to the Tech Central Precinct, expand technical expertise, collaboration and commercialisation and otherwise build capacity across its target industries and research areas.

“Tech Central boasts tech giant Atlassian as an anchor tenant and is home to three world-class universities, a world-leading research hospital and over 100 research institutes and Centres of Excellence,” he said.

“But to translate our incredible R&D strength into even more tangible outcomes that deliver for the NSW economy, we want to offer wider access to high-tech facilities, equipment and staff, and this fund is about just that.

“Put simply, if you think you can add a significant public utility or technology to the Tech Central ecosystem, we want to hear from you.”

Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology and Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the fund was focused on providing specialised equipment, skilled experts and collaborative programs with a focus on existing industry and research strengths across the precinct.

“From quantum computing to robotics, biotech, cyber security, creative industries and more, the Tech Central Research and Innovation Infrastructure Fund is about expanding access to equipment and expertise and driving the collaboration of our leading tech community with all parts of industry and academia,” Mr Henskens said.

“This is about delivering innovation, R&D and industry talent that will support the translation of world-class research into commercial outcomes, new technologies, services and globally competitive cutting-edge industries.”

Already UTS and the University of Sydney are working together on Digital Central, an ambitious collaboration to harness the strength of the two universities’ digital sciences research and teaching.

Competitive project funding is anticipated to vary between $500,000 and $5 million per project, with a focus on supporting proposals that have a specialised physical or digital expenditure.

Expressions of interest will be accepted until 5pm AEST Friday 17 June 2022.

More information on the fund and its eligibility requirements can be found here.